Please support the clear and transparent labeling of USA born, raised and harvested beef. Getting this definition attached to the phrase “Product of the USA” is your only assurance that the beef you purchase was solely raised in the United States.

The United States Cattlemen's Association asks that only beef that has been born, raised and harvested in the United States be labeled as U.S.A. Beef. Due to the repeal of the Country-of-Origin Labeling law in 2015, there are no clear definitions for what constitutes a U.S. beef product. For example, cattle or beef that is imported into our borders and then undergoes further processing or handling at a USDA-inspected facility can be labeled as a "Product of the United States”, even if the handling of the product was minimal.This lack of a clearly defined label is highly misleading to the consumer. Consumers are only able to make wise choices if provided the information they need to make those choices.

Clear, Transparent, Defined labeling fulfills:

1. Consumers desire transparency and freedom of choice in the foods they purchase. Consumers are aware that there may be different feed, veterinary practices or husbandry practices that are used in raising beef or cattle in other countries. For example, some countries utilize forced or slave labor in the raising of cattle and production of beef. Other countries cause irreparable environmental damage, either through rainforest deforestation or harmful production practices. Consumers have the right to make decisions that align with their personal values and beliefs.

2. The ability of consumers and retailers to recognize products that have been recalled, thereby increasing food safety at home and in the grocery store. Consumers and retailers need to have the capacity to trace product and make smart decisions in the case of bio-security issues involving herd health or when emerging zoonotic diseases come to light

3. The prevention of U.S. economic loss by ensuring our ranchers, feedlot owners, and backgrounders are all allowed the opportunity to succeed in a global marketplace. U.S. cattle producers need to have the ability to differentiate their domestic product from imported product in the marketplace. Country-of-origin labeling prevents U.S. agriculture jobs from being outsourced to other countries who can produce beef at a lower cost due to less stringent environmental and workplace regulations. Just as Americans don't want U.S. factories moved overseas, why would we send agriculture jobs out of our country?

Please support the clear and transparent labeling of USA born, raised and slaughtered beef.

As producers and consumers of beef, the below signatories respectfully request the United StatesFood Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA), to develop guidance for federally inspected establishments related to geographic claims made on beef muscle cuts and ground beef products.

The petitioners ask that only beef that has been born, raised and harvested in the United States be labeled as U.S.A. Beef. Due to the repeal of the Country-of-Origin-Labeling law, there are no clear definitions for what constitutes a U.S. beef product. For example, cattle or beef that is imported into our borders and then undergoes further processing or handling at a USDA-inspected facility can be labeled as a "Product of the United States”, even if the handling of the product was minimal. This lack of a clearly defined label is highly misleading to the consumer.

Consumers desire transparency and freedom of choice in the foods they purchase. The ability of consumers to be aware of different feed, veterinary practices or husbandry practices used in raising imported beef or cattle is important in deciding which products to feed their families. In instances where production practices fall outside of traditional consumer values, as in the case of forced or slave labor, COOL provides the opportunity to avoid those products. Additionally, COOL allows consumers to make choices that support environmental values. For example, Brazilian cattle producers have been shown to contribute to the drastic deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Clear and transparent labeling allows consumers to make choices to support the environment. Transparent and true labeling would also increase the ability of consumers and retailers to recognize products that have been recalled.

Please support the clear and transparent labeling of USA born, raised and slaughtered beef. The signatories represent a diverse population of producers and consumers